Calling all women: Let’s run, or walk, for a good cause #SparGrandPrix

South Africa’s ‘most beautiful race’ is back in Jo’burg so you better get your running shoes ready! The final leg of the Spar Grand Prix series will take place at Marks Park Sports Club on 7 October…

If last year’s event is anything to go by, this run will be something you cannot miss. The family-friendly race coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the main beneficiary of the race is Reach for Recovery.

The international breast cancer support group helps women with breast cancer return to daily life by providing free support, offered by volunteers, who themselves have suffered the effects of breast cancer, as well as providing a prosthesis service.

The race will once again be held at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia

The wonderful venue can accommodate the crowd of 25 000.

The club is also the City of Johannesburg’s municipal sports precinct, and so forms part of Spar’s partnership with the City. The spacious area at the finish will be available for people to put up club tents and have braais and relax with the whole family.

Food vendors will also be on hand for a bite to eat. As in the past, the race will take runners through some of the city’s most beautiful areas. The 10km route goes through the lovely suburbs of Greenside and Parkview, with wide, tree-lined avenues and little traffic.

Scenic 5km route

The scenic 5km route goes past the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam. The race brings together women from all walks of life, shapes and sizes and makes for a great family outing. So, if you and your girls want to walk or run this race you can grab your tickets online or at most Spar stores.

With so many prizes up for grabs on the day, the vibe is electric with local celebs and entertainment for the crowds after the race. There are also schools that enter the race and these schools go into a lucky draw for great school prizes. Spar goes all out on the day to ensure that all participants have an awesome day.

Donate your running shoes!

The Rosebank Killarney Gazette in association with Spar is calling all athletes, joggers and everyday sports enthusiasts to donate their unwanted running shoes that are still in good condition for the Drop a Pair and Show you Care initiative.

These shoes will go to a school based in the greater Jo’burg north region where many underprivileged children will be given the opportunity and motivation to get and remain fit with the right shoes.

The drive started during the 2015 Spar Women’s Race when Caxton staff noticed that many children from disadvantaged schools in Johannesburg took part in the race barefoot. Since being directly involved in the Spar Women’s Race, Rosebank Killarney Gazette, as part of its Caxton Cares initiative, along with Spar decided to run the Drop a Pair and Show you Care campaign with hopes of giving back to those in need as well as to supply running shoes to those who wish to join the race.

In 2016, the initiative delivered donated running shoes to Skeen Primary School in Alexandra and the Johannesburg Girls Preparatory School in Berea. And just last year, the recipient was Realogile Secondary School in Alexandra, which received more than 300 pairs of running shoes.

This year the initiative aims at collecting 400 pairs of shoes

Help us reach our goal and keep hundreds of South African children’s feet warm and happy.

You can drop off your shoes and meet the Caxton team on race day, or you can drop off your unwanted shoes at 368 Jan Smuts Avenue, Caxton House or 1187 Cornelius street, corner JG Strijdom, Weltevreden Park.

While All4Women endeavours to ensure health articles are based on scientific research, health articles should not be considered as a replacement for professional medical advice. Should you have concerns related to this content, it is advised that you discuss them with your personal healthcare provider.

Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free Thought for the Day newsletter.

Bonus - you could be our monthly R 2,000 Woolworths Voucher winner

Try the All4Women Club - FREE 14-day trial

By joining the All4Women Club you will enable us to continue providing you with quality lifestyle, current & entertainment news, and inspiration! You can now enjoy all of this AND MORE through the Club.